AWG officially commenced construction of its seventh full-line grocery distribution center with a groundbreaking ceremony at the 68 acre site in Pearl River, Louisiana. Thirty-five AWG retailer-owners, who will be serviced by the new Division, participated in the ceremony, along with AWG management and associates, numerous growers, manufacturers and suppliers of gulf coast products. Many local leaders (governmental and non-governmental) from the vicinity, who assisted AWG in bringing this new business to the area, also attended.

AWG Gulf Coast Division is strategically positioned along the I-10 corridor at the intersections of I-59 and I-12 to provide great accessibility and low cost delivery of groceries to independent retailers in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.

With over 720,000 square feet of space, AWG Gulf Coast Division will carry essentially everything an independent supermarket operator needs for its customers. Categories include dry grocery, frozen food, ice cream, dairy, fluid milk, meat, fresh seafood, produce, floral, bakery, deli, and supplies. Overall, the facility will stock approximately 19,000 items that will cater to the needs of the Deep South and coastal areas it serves.

Jerry Garland, AWG’s President and CEO said: “We’re excited about the future of our new Gulf Coast Division and the potential for growth and expansion by our members in this dynamic region of the country. We have a responsibility to the members of our cooperative to provide them with the best available food and related products at the lowest possible cost. This new Division will significantly lower the cost of groceries to our members’ stores and expand our abilities to further achieve that goal for our members and future members in this region.”

Officials for the company said the new Division is expected to provide approximately 588 construction jobs and initially employ 290 new AWG employees at its expected opening in January 2013.